Ball conveyer



May 31, 1927.

t B. LANZA BALL CONVEYER Filed Nov. 20, 1926 Patented May 31, 1927.

warren BALL ooivvnvnn.

Application filed November 20, 1926. serial No; 149,683.

My invention relates to ball conveyers, and more particularly to conveyers of the type used in pocket billiard'tables to convey the balls rom the pocket of the table, to a receptacle provided to receive them at one end of the table. An object of my invention is to provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive structure that may be easily assembled and installed by unskilled labor.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple clamping means for supporting the longitudinal guide rods of the conveyer at fixed distances from each other without the necessity of brazing, welding, or soldering, which means can be readily un clamped to permit the removal of the longitudinal rods whenever it is necessary to renew the rubber covering thereof.

A further object of my invention is to provide a light, strong, and eiiicient ball conveying means that can be easily and cheaply manufactured, and will obviate all the objectionable features of those of the prior art.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth:

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1, is a perspective view of a ball conveyer, embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a top view of a ball conveyer of such type on a smaller scale; Fig. 3, a front view in elevation of a conveyer clamping and spacing band assembly; Fig. A, a side view in elevation of the same, Fig. 5, a front elevation of;

the clamping and spacing band assembly illustrating the device operatively engaging the conveyer rods.

In the practice of my invention, referring descriptively to the specific embodiment thereof which is herein exemplified, each of a plurality of longitudinally extending conveyer rods is formed with a core, 1, and a soft rubber covering, 2. In assembling the conveyer, the rubber covering 2, is notched on one side at the point where a spacing band is desired, and a band, 3 having equidistantly spaced depressions in its periphery, is placed at thenotched parts, so that the core of the conveyer rod, 1 rests in direct contact with the wall of the depression in the band, 3, leaving the point,5, of the band,

- 3, at the notched side of the rod on a plane with the rubber covering, 2. A clamping band, 4:, which is formed at one end with an upwardly extending lug, 7, and at the other end with a laterally extending lug, 8, of suflicient length to embrace the lug, 7 is fitted over the assembled rods and the spacing band, 3, and is locked to the spacing band, 3, by bending the lug, 8, back to embrace the lug, 7, holding the assembled parts in operative position. p

The rods may be readily removed from the spacing device to effect renewals or repairs, by merely. bending up the end of the lug, 8, to release the clamping band. The core, 1, of the conveyer rods is preferably made of a material which will maintain a permanent set, so that the rods, when bent to any suitable angle or curvature for properly conveying the balls, 6, to the receptacle, will retain their bent form.

I claim as my invention and desireto secure by Letters Patent: 1

1. A device for holding'the longitudinal rods of a guideway, in spaced relation, comprising: interfitted bands shaped to provide spaced sockets, each adapted to receive a rod and secure it against transverse displacement in all directions. I

2. A device for holding the rods of a guideway in spaced relation, comprising a pair of interfitted bands, one of said bands having adepression adapted to receive a rod, 7 and the other band having a portion adapted to extend over the depression and confine a rod therein.

3. A device for holding the rods of a guideway in spaced relation, comprising a pair of interfitted bands, one of said bands having a depression adapted to receive a rod, and the other band having a portion adapted to extend over the depression and confine a rod therein; and means for locking the bands together.

4. A device for holding the rods of a guideway in spaced relation, comprising a pair ofinterfitted bands, one of the bands having an axially extending depression adapted to receive a rod, and the other band being split and having a portion adapted to extend over the depression and provided at each end with a lug one of said lugs being longer than the other to provide a portion adapted to be bent back to engage the other lug thereby locking the bands together.

5. A conveyer comprising rods equidistantly spaced; a spacing band having equidistantly spaced depressions for engaging said rods; vand a band looked over said rods 'tion. a

and spacing bands to hold the rods in posia plurality of rubber covered conveyer rods 10 each notched to engage said spacing band 6. A conveyer comprising longitudinal and a clamping band locking said rods and rods held in operative position by means of spacing band together releasably. a-spacing band having depressions in its pe- I 8, A conveyen comprising a, spacing band, riphery for engaging said rods,and ztclarnpa plurality otconveyer rods notched toen- 15 ing means removably engaging said rods gage said spacing band; and a clamping and spacing band in operative position. band locking the rods and spacing band.

7 A conveyer comprising a spacing band, 7 BENJAMIN LANZA. 

